Digital satellite radio systems and associated methods for providing indoor reception

Abstract

A digital satellite radio system includes a content server for providing a digital satellite radio channels, and a satellite for broadcasting the digital satellite radio channels. For overcoming indoor reception problems, a modem is connected to the content server via the Internet for receiving a selected digital satellite radio channel while not receiving unselected digital satellite radio channels. A digital satellite radio unit receives the selected digital satellite radio channel from the modem while not receiving the unselected digital satellite radio channels. In lieu of the modem connected to the Internet, a repeater receiving signals from the satellite is used for providing the selected digital satellite radio channel to the digital satellite radio unit.

That which is claimed is: 
     
       1. A digital satellite radio system comprising:
 a content server for providing a plurality of digital satellite radio channels; 
 at least one satellite having a broadcast bandwidth for broadcasting the plurality of digital satellite radio channels; 
 at least one modem connected to said content server for receiving a selected digital satellite radio channel within the broadcast bandwidth while not receiving unselected digital satellite radio channels within the broadcast bandwidth; and 
 at least one digital satellite radio unit for receiving the plurality of digital satellite radio channels from said at least one satellite, and for receiving the selected digital satellite radio channel within the broadcast bandwidth from said at least one modem while not receiving the unselected digital satellite radio channels within the broadcast bandwidth; 
 said at least one digital satellite radio unit wirelessly connected to said at least one modem via a wireless local area network (WLAN), and comprising a processor for selecting reception between said at least one satellite and said WLAN based on respective link qualities associated therewith. 
 
     
     
       2. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one modem is connected to the Internet for receiving digital satellite radio channels from said content server. 
     
     
       3. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 1  wherein each digital satellite radio unit selects between said at least one satellite and said at least one modem for receiving digital satellite radio channels therefrom. 
     
     
       4. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 1  each digital satellite radio unit comprises a USB connector for connecting to said at least one modem via a USB interface. 
     
     
       5. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 1  wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises an Ethernet connector for connecting to said at least one modem via a local area network (LAN) interface. 
     
     
       6. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 1  wherein each digital satellite radio unit further receives, when connected to said at least one modem, channel information data on the unselected digital satellite radio channels. 
     
     
       7. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 1  wherein said WLAN comprises an access point connected to said at least one modem; and wherein said at least one digital satellite radio unit is wirelessly connected to said at least one modem via said access point. 
     
     
       8. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 1  wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises a signal strength measurement circuit connected to said processor for determining the respective link qualities associated with said at least one satellite and said WLAN. 
     
     
       9. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 1  wherein the plurality of digital satellite radio channels is based upon at least one of XM radio and Sirius radio. 
     
     
       10. A digital satellite radio system comprising:
 a content server for providing a plurality of digital satellite radio channels; 
 at least one satellite having a broadcast bandwidth for broadcasting the plurality of digital satellite radio channels; 
 at least one repeater for receiving the plurality of digital satellite radio channels from said at least one satellite, and for wirelessly transmitting within a local area network (LAN) a selected digital satellite radio channel within the broadcast bandwidth while not transmitting unselected digital satellite radio channels within the broadcast bandwidth; and 
 at least one digital satellite radio unit connected to said LAN for receiving the selected digital satellite radio channel within the broadcast bandwidth while not receiving the unselected digital satellite radio channels within the broadcast bandwidth. 
 
     
     
       11. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 10  wherein each digital satellite radio unit is also configured for receiving the plurality of digital satellite radio channels from said at least one satellite. 
     
     
       12. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 11  wherein each digital satellite radio unit selects between said at least one satellite and said at least one repeater for receiving digital satellite radio channels therefrom. 
     
     
       13. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 10  wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises an Ethernet connector for connecting to said at least one repeater. 
     
     
       14. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 10  wherein each digital satellite radio unit further receives, when connected to said at least one repeater, channel information data on the unselected digital satellite radio channels. 
     
     
       15. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 10  wherein said at least one digital satellite radio unit is wirelessly connected to said LAN. 
     
     
       16. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 15  wherein said WLAN comprises an access point connected to said at least one repeater; and wherein said at least one digital satellite radio unit is wirelessly connected to said at least one repeater via said access point. 
     
     
       17. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 15  wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises a processor for selecting reception between said at least one satellite and said WLAN. 
     
     
       18. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 17  wherein each digital satellite radio unit comprises a signal strength measurement circuit connected to said processor for determining a respective link quality associated with said at least one satellite and said WLAN. 
     
     
       19. A digital satellite radio system according to  claim 10  wherein the plurality of digital satellite radio channels is based upon at least one of XM radio and Sirius radio.